Paul and His Theology (Julian Cortes)

Julian Cortes
Pauline Literature – Final Paper

December 18, 2017
The Theology of Paul1
Saint Paul has been one of the most influential disciples of Jesus Christ because his
letters helped to build the theology in the early Christianity. That is why Joseph Fitzmyer, in his
book Paul and His Theology, wants to express the principal topics of Paul’s theology. Even
though the author tells us Paul’s history, our main purpose is to identify the perspective of his
theology. Fitzmyer divides Paul’s theology in three main topics: (1) Paul’s Christocentric
Soteriology, (2) Paul’s Anthropology, and (3) Paul’s Ethics.
Paul’s Christocentric Soteriology emphasizes in Christ as a center or core of Christianity
because He is significant for humanity. For Paul, the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ also
play an important role in his theology since it shows the importance of the last end and the
salvation. However, according to Fitzmyer, Paul’s teaching has the goal to spread “the triumph
of God.”2 On the other hand, Paul uses 60 times the word Evangelion. It does not refer to his
own gospel, but it refers to God’s gospel wherein his thought is to announce the good news of
the glory of God.
The author explains six characteristics of Paul’s Gospel. First, Paul has an apocalyptic
vision of the gospel because he emphasizes on the mysterion. Second, the dynamic that Paul uses
is to shows the salvation for everyone. Third, Paul’s gospel has a kerygmatic character. Fourth,
there is a normative role in Christina life which invites us to listen to God and obey Him. Fifth,
Paul focuses on the promise of God given by Christ. Finally, Paul has a universal character
1
Joseph A. Fitzmyer, S.J., Paul and His Theology: A Brief Sketch, 2nd edition (New Jersey: Prentice-Hall,
1989).
2
Ibid., 37.
Cortes 2
which is to show the gospel as a source of salvation. Moreover, the importance of salvation in
Paul is to express “The wrath of God, righteousness of God, and love of God.” 3 Another
interesting explanation from Fitzmyer is that Christ has a specific role in the salvation history. It
is divided in three important concepts: (1) the son of God which recognizes the divinity of Jesus,
(2) Christos which points out the messianic connotation in Jesus, and (3) kyrios which expresses
the risen Christ.
The last part of Paul’s Christocentric Soteriology is based on the effects of the Christ-
Event. The author has ten important concepts that makes Paul’s theology understandable. First,
justification which is the most frequent Christ-Event that Paul announced because he wants to
present the resurrection as new relationship between God and the people. Second, Paul mentions
very often the event of Salvation as a way to rescue the human being from evil. Third,
reconciliation is announced by Saint Paul as an initiative of God to stablish a relationship with
the people. Fourth, expiation refers to Christ’s blood as a form of being clean from our sins.
Fifth, Saint Paul also mentions the event of redemption which is focused on Christ’s passion and
death as a way to be free. Sixth, freedom, which is related to the fifth event, makes us be far
away from “sin and death.”4 Seventh, “for Paul, God made Christ Jesus our justification.”5
Eighth, Transformation which emphasizes in human’s changes by God. Ninth, Paul claims that
God in Christ has created a new humanity giving it newness of life. Paul calls it New Creation.6
Finally, Paul uses the word glorification as an expression to recognize the presence of God.
As a second main topic, we will find an outlook of Paul’s anthropology. The author is
very clear with some important ideas about Paul’s thoughts. So, he points out two essential
3
Ibid., 42-44.
4
Ibid., 68.
5
Ibid., 69.
6
Ibid., 70.
Cortes 3
distinctions about humanity before Christ and in Christ. On one hand, the humanity before Christ
was motivated by the sin. Saint Paul mentions that the sin is a total death, spiritual as well as
physical.7 Also, in Romans, Paul claims that without the gospel, human race (Jews and Greeks)
will be submitted to the power of sin. Moreover, for Paul, it is important the law. Even though he
recognizes that the sin was before than the law, the law had a new meaning with Jesus who was
raised up for our justification. Therefore, before Christ, people were immersed in the sin. On the
other hand, Paul expresses that there was a big change on humanity when Christ was part of it.
Paul shows important changes on humanity like faith and love, baptism, incorporation into
Christ, body of Christ, Eucharist, and the Church.8
To conclude, Joseph Fitzmyer proposes the Paul’s Ethics. In this section, he shows some
important terms that Paul uses in his letter. It is important to highlight that Paul incorporate in his
letters virtues and vices that should and should not characterize Christians. 9 Also, the author
mentions that we can find asceticism and prayer in Saint Paul because he could reach self-control
and self-discipline through the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, Paul was very brave to talk
about topics like marriage, celibacy, widowhood, society, State, and slavery. 10
All in all, Paul’s
theology is very important for his thoughts and effort to transmit Christ’s teachings. This is just a
minimum section of what Paul tries to express in his theology. His terms, words, meanings, and
thoughts make Christianity rich in their faith and love for God.
7
Ibid., 73.
8
Ibid., 84-97.
9
Ibid., 101.
10
Ibid., 103-106.

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Julian Cortes

Pauline Literature – Final Paper

The Theology of Paul1

Soteriology, (2) Paul’s Anthropology, and (3) Paul’s Ethics.

Paul’s Christocentric Soteriology emphasizes in Christ as a center or core of Christianity

the glory of God.

the risen Christ.

reconciliation is announced by Saint Paul as an initiative of God to stablish a relationship with

Christ, body of Christ, Eucharist, and the Church.8

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